What Premiere Elements 12 workspace are you in, Quick or Expert? If you are in Quick, then please go to Expert to determine if you then find the features that you are seeking. Also, if necessary, please post a screenshot of your problem workspace.

Does your computer environment use one or two monitors? If two, what happens if you disconnect one or the other of them?

If you are using a Windows computer, are you using any high contrast themes?

What is your video card/graphics card? Do you have 1 or 2? Is the driver version for the card up to date according to the web site of the

manufacturer of the card or the web site of the manufacturer of the computer? Does the manufacturer of the card claim that the card supports dual monitors?

What happens if you right click the monitor, select Playback Quality, and select Highest instead of Automatic?

If this is a dual monitor set up, please give all the details under Control Panel/Display with regard to Display set up.

Also, if dual monitor, please review the following considerations which apply to 12 as well as 11.